Cambria County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Exploitation Charges
| U.S. Attorney’s Office August 24, 2009 |
United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, August 24, 2009, that Eric S. Dahmen of Mineral Point, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court in Johnstown to charges of transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and possession of child pornography.
Dahmen, age 24, pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr., advised the court that on July 27, 2007, Dahmen knowingly possessed pictures and videos in individual computer graphic files which were produced using minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The computer graphic files were shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.
In addition, from February 8, to February 10, 2008, Dahmen transported a then 15-year-old minor female across state lines for the purpose of having the minor engage in criminal sexual activity.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for December 9, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of life in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. Launched in February 2006, Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation/Laurel Highlands Resident Agency, the Pennsylvania State Police/Area III Computer Crimes Task Force, and the Cambria County District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Dahmen.